26th March - Titchfield Haven, Hampshire

Happy Birthday Freddie!

After a morning trip to the dentist, I headed around the M27 to Titchfield Haven.  The strong winds and heavy showers had been replaced by sunshine and a light breeze, but it still remained a lot colder than last week.

I walked around to the Meon Shore Hide, the tide was low but still the water levels in the bay and on the scrapes was high, but there were a few islands showing now and they were completely covered with Black-headed Gulls.  It was the Black-headed Gulls I turned to for some photography, at this time of year they look very smart in the ir chocolate brown hoods and deep crimson bill and gape.  The water was also reflecting the blue sky nicely.  An amorous pair.

I love the water colour here, contrasting well with the gull's plumage.

Avocet numbers have steadily built up over the last few days, on Tuesday there were 26 on the south scrape, today I counted 42.  One pair worked their way around the scrape and ended up in front of the hide.  A nice opportunity to get in close.

Again some interesting water reflections contrasting with the black and white plumage.

Some preening in the shallow water.

There were several pairs mating around the scrape and this would lead to some scraps amongst the pairs.  Here a single bird is not welcome around the pair.

It tries to move away.

But still one of the pair had to ensure that it went away.

Aside from the gulls and the Avocets it was quiet on the scrapes, on  Tuesday there were good numbers of Wigeon and teal on the scrape, today the numbers were much reduced, with only a pair of Wigeon remaining and very few Teal.  Gadwall and Shoveler numbers remained about the same.

I decided the try my luck on the east side, the bushes there shelter from the cold breeze and with the sun w=quite warm now there is always a chance of a butterfly and so it proved with a red Admiral amongst the Blackthorn blossom.

I made my way to the Knight's Bank hide and settled in at the far end close to the Kestrel box.  However there wasn't any sign of the Kestrels and the Marsh Harriers stayed distant.  I had been made aware that there had been a female Wheatear in front of the hide and after some scanning I found it amongst the bullrush grass in front of the hide, but distant.

The first Wheatear of the year is always a welcome find, both male and female look so fresh in their breeding plumage.

There will be better photographs of Wheatear through the year, but you have to have a record of the first even if it isn't of the best quality.

After my lunch I had to head home, I stopped just before the visitor shed.  They have been putting feeders up and this has attracted quite a few birds, earlier there had been a smart male Greenfinch, but I don't do birds on feeders.  Now there were several birds in the associated bushes, Chaffinches and Blue and Great Tits showing well.  Then three Reed Buntings came to the feeders.  I waited but they flew to the bushes and were obscured by the emerging leaves.  Then one flew to the feeder, but perched on the pole and that is acceptable.

A short visit, but with some great shots of the Avocet and the first Wheatear of the year!